Checkpoint - Part 1

After a long journey, the trio finds themselves crossing the border of sand and dirt. The scenery undergoes a drastic change from barren land to a forest infestation, capturing Lucifer's attention and triggering a memory.

"We're close," Lucifer mutters, his voice audible to both Malique and Michael.

"I can assure you of that," Michael affirms, having frequently wandered this area while transporting humans from Hell to Heaven.

"Have the trees always been this massive?" Malique asks curiously, as it has been ages since he last saw this place.

"They used to be much smaller, didn't they?" Lucifer adds, leaping over a huge root that blocks his path.

The thick forest hampers their progress, preventing them from flying through it. Instead, they opt to traverse the forest, as it is a faster route to Heaven compared to going over it.

Unseen by the naked eye, the branches have grown high above, spanning a distance equal to that between Heaven and Hell itself.

"The funny thing is, I didn't even realize it had gotten to this point," Michael says, dropping down from another root.

While Lucifer appears unaware or unconcerned, Malique and Michael feel a sense of unease. Malique carefully evaluates his words before speaking, as he inadvertently touches on a sensitive topic.

"If the Great War were to occur now, the Demons would probably be able to escape us," Malique remarks, only realizing the implications after noticing Michael's strange glare.

Ignoring or unaware of the tension, Lucifer suddenly stops in his tracks, unnoticed by Malique and Michael until they move a bit ahead and spot him out of the corner of their eyes.

"Lucifer?" Michael calls out. "What's wrong?"

"It seems I'm not allowed to go any further," Lucifer remarks, kneeling to pick up an odd-looking stone slightly larger than the other pebbles.

"What do you mean?" Michael questions, finding Lucifer's statement somewhat illogical. He has never heard of any walls or restrictions in Heaven preventing Demons from entering. Furthermore, the fact that the Demons managed to escape Hell suggests the absence of such a "wall."

"I mean this..." Lucifer takes a step forward, bringing the stone he picked up earlier to his forehead.

[Fwish and Boom!]

The stone, which turns out to be chalkstone, explodes, scattering debris everywhere and obscuring Lucifer's body. In summary, an arrow, travelling at a speed comparable to sound, flies between Malique and Michael's shoulders and hits the rock in Lucifer's hand.

"Charge, now!" a voice shouts, signalling an attack and revealing a fraction of the Angel army that emerges from the ground.

Within seconds, a barricade of shields forms around Malique and Michael, with two additional members assigned to personally protect them. Slowly, they make their way into Heaven, guided by their escorts.

Now within the safe zone beyond the guard checkpoint, the barricade opens a path for Malique and Michael. They find themselves face-to-face with the operation's commander.

"Archangel Michael and the Gatekeeper of Hell, Malique. Thank goodness you both managed to arrive here unharmed," Hadraniel greets them, and the barricade team disperses to search for Lucifer.

"Hadraniel! What's the meaning of this?" Michael asks anxiously, while Hadraniel maintains a composed demeanour.

"I've taken some additional measures following Gabriel's command when he returned to Heaven," Hadraniel explains.

"Gabriel told you to do all of this?" Malique asks, seeking clarification.

"In a way, yes," Hadraniel responds vaguely. "Now, please excuse me as we hunt down this lone Demon who pursued you."

"No! Stop whatever you're trying to do immediately!" Michael raises his voice, holding back Hadraniel from joining the other Angels. "You can't defeat that Demon."

"We've killed countless Demons before, Michael. What makes you so sure we can't handle this one?" Hadraniel's words may sound arrogant, but he is merely stating a fact.

"Because the Demon you're about to face out there is none other than the Archdemon Lucifer," Michael declares, instilling fear and shock in Hadraniel upon hearing the revelation.

Meanwhile, outside the holy ground, an Angel bravely—or foolishly—pushes through the smoke to locate Lucifer, but finds nothing within the dusty smokescreen.

"Everyone, stay on high alert! He's out there somewhere!" the Angel warns his comrades, unaware that a silhouette of death looms behind him.

"Ramiel, run!" one of his comrades shouts, noticing Lucifer appearing behind the lone Angel named Ramiel. However, it is too late, and they watch helplessly as Ramiel is violently thrown into the air. "Everyone, the target is on me!"

An unwanted conflict erupts outside the holy ground as Angels launch themselves one by one at Lucifer from multiple directions. Acting individually due to Hadraniel's absence and driven by their hatred and fear, their attacks lack coordination.

This gives Lucifer a significant advantage. He uses the first Angel that lunges at him as a weapon, stopping the attack with his bare hands and hurling the Angel toward the next attacker, disrupting their assault.

Unlike in the past, the Angels have grown somewhat hesitant in their hearts, which Lucifer notices when the second Angel refrains from using his weapon to avoid harming his comrade flying in his direction.

With the lack of coordination, Lucifer can play with them as he pleases. When the chain of attacks is interrupted, he seizes the opportunity to go on the offensive, catching them off guard as they rely on the initial callout for his position.

"Everyone, retreat!" a commanding voice calls out, bringing a change in tactics. Although they may not know Lucifer's current location, they are aware that their leader is about to make an appearance.

As expected, the barricade crew returns to the battlefield, led by their commander. Recognizing him immediately, Lucifer realizes that Gabriel is here. As leaders of their respective kin, they can discern almost every living being present.

Taking cover behind an unconscious Angel, Lucifer finds himself in a tight spot as they approach. To save time and energy, he reveals himself, greeted by disbelief and consternation.

"So, you are alive, huh?" Hadraniel retorts, leaving his Angel friends bewildered. However, Lucifer remains silent, his question about his existence rhetorical.

"Well, your existence determines the past and future of this afterworld," Hadraniel comments, raising his hand to give a command. "Let's end him for real this time."

With the order given, the entire team charges at Lucifer, shields raised. Even if he were to produce a weapon, he would be unable to use it effectively, as they would enclose him in a shield prison, leaving Hadraniel to deliver the final blow.

[Thump!]

"Everyone, stop!" Michael intervenes, jumping into the midst of the oncoming clash to halt the confrontation.